Polo mallet head making



Dec. 8, 1942. J. 5. McMINN Y POLO MALLET HEAD MAKING I Filed June a; 1940 r-wikwm [121E INVENTOR.

Patented Dec. 8, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to polo mallets and it has particular reference to an improved head construction for polo mallets.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a method of construction by which damage to the head by force of contact thereof with a ball is minimized, hence insuring a longer period of usefulness. Moreover, a head constructed according to the present invention, in addition to its durability, is capable of propelling a ball with H greater accuracy in an intended direction than with conventional clubs, due to the covering of the head, which minimizes oblique shots, due for example, to slippage between the club head and the ball.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a covering for heads of polo clubs which will preevnt rapid deterioration and splintering of the head due to continuous and forceful contacts with the ball in play.

With the foregoing objects as paramount, the invention has particular reference to certain salient features of construction and arrangement of parts, to become manifest as the description proceeds. 2a

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is an elevational View of a polo club showing a covered head embodying the invention.

Figure 2 is an elevational view of a club head showing in detail the manner of wrapping the same, and

Figure 3 is a transverse section through a head of a modified construction.

In continuing with a more detailed description of the drawing, it is pointed out that the veneered or laminated polo club heads, ball bats and similar articles of sporting equipment are known to have been in use for many years and that this is not a feature of the present invention, as it is the prime intent of this invention to provide a rugged covering for polo club heads whether laminated or of solid construction, for the purposes set forth in the foregoing.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the head I is lathe turned to produce a balanced, symmetrical body. The body thus formed is then immersed or otherwise covered with a coating of liquid solution, preferably composed of a solid synthetic substance such as Celluloid, dissolved in 50 an organic substance such as acetone, which when dry, provides an impervious, tough coating 2. However, before the coating dries, a covering comprised of fabric tape 3, impregnated with the same solution is spirally wound upon the body.

After the tape 3 has been applied as described and shown, a final coating of the same solution or substance is applied over the wrapping to assume the wear which would otherwis be borne by the tape.

A hole 4 is bored obliquely through the body I to receive the shaft or handle 5, at the upper end of which is provided a grip 6 and a wrist strap I.

In Figure 3 is shown the body I as being comprised of laminated sections, glued or otherwise secured together and subsequently treated in the manner previously explained to afford a protective covering,

The head may also be treated by employing a cloth which has been thoroughly impregnated with a phenol-aldehyde resinous product. The sheet of cloth is dried and further polymerized by passing the same through a hot oven. It is then cut into strips and spirally wound around the body or head I in the same manner as previously explained, after which the body, thus wound is subjected to the action of heat which softens the resin film sufliciently to bond to the wood fibers of the head and then sets up or cures to an infusible, insoluble bond.

It is apparent from the foregoing that in either of the forms above described, the tough and impervious covering obtained affords a protection for the head and in addition, improves the driving power obtained through the head.

Manifestly, the construction described is capable of some modification which may be resorted to as falling within the scope and meaning of the appended claim.

What is claimed is:

The hereindescribed method for protecting a polo mallet head against splintering which comprises initially in immersing said head in a liquid bonding solution comprised of Celluloid dissolved in acetone to completely coat the head, in spirally wrapping said coated head prior to the drying of the solution applied thereto with a fibrous tape thoroughly impregnated with a phenol-aldehyde resinous product and polymerized .by the action of heat, then, in subjecting the taped head also to the action of heat to soften the resin film on said tape to thereby bond the wood fibers of said head which will subsequently harden into an infusible, insoluble bond.

JACQUES S. MCMINN. 

